Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
For a Christian, prayer is a lifestyle. Prayer is the fuel that keeps a Christian going. Just like an automobile cannot function without the appropriate fuel, Christians who don’t constantly speak to God leave themselves at risk of breaking down.
Prayer is the communication line between you and your maker. It is the navigational system that helps you find your way in this dark world. Imagine traveling on a road you haven’t traveled on before. You would need some form of reliable navigation system that already has the location of your destination.
God is the beginning and the end of all things. That means he knows your purpose in this life and exactly which road you are on. He also knows the dangers that are hidden from your view and the dangers that you cannot overcome ahead of you. Communicating with him constantly means that he can guide and protect you from all evil.
When you have a reliable navigation system, it doesn’t matter how many peaks and valleys lay in wait for you because there will always be a road through or around it that will help you get past them. You will not be swayed by anyone who pretends to know the road better than the reliable navigation system you have.
It doesn’t matter if people swear to know a better road than the one on your reliable navigation system. As long as you have the belief within you that your navigation system is very reliable, you will never depart from it. Such is the prayer life of a Christian. As long as you keep communication between you and your source open, you will never be steered wrong.
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
Mark 11:24
However, when you do not have a reliable compass as a traveler on the ocean you are already lost. Without the guiding hand of the Lord through prayer, you will fall for any guidance or direction from any random person. When you do not know where you are going, any random person or spirit can change the course of your journey or your life.
The journey of your life is one that should not be taken for granted. Your Christian life is the one that will get you into paradise. On your way to paradise, only the Maker can show you the right way. Keep your prayer life alive at all times; good or bad.
As David said, in joy or in pain always give thanks to the Lord. Let your everyday life reflect your communication with God. Do not attempt to take any step without consulting the Lord whether it is a good or bad move.
There are paths that may seem right to a Christian but the end result is only death and destruction. This is the reason why you must pray without ceasing, so the Lord opens your eyes to the real traps that may have been set for you by those who wish evil upon you.
There are times when people may offer you what seems like an easy way out but they may have ulterior motives about how they will use their gift to manipulate and destroy you in the future.
Through prayer Christians learn that the paths God choose for them may not look too glamorous to the naked eye or to those around them, but the end game is always pleasing and gives glory to the Lord for his guidance and direction.
8 things that can destroy your prayer life
Lacking faith
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
1 Peter 1:13
Without faith in God, it is impossible to even hear him let alone believe what he tells you. The moment you decide to pray to God you must be prepared to listen for his voice.
Faith is what connects you to God in prayer. There may be times when your faith wavers because you don’t believe that something that happens was part of God’s plan.
There are also times when you feel unfairly treated and decide to not believe in him anymore. It is important as a Christian for you to grow in faith with every challenge or bend in the road. These moments are only meant to strengthen you and prepare you for any big challenge that may confront you in the future.
The Israelites lost faith in God from time to time and resorted to less powerful gods they could see. In their minds they thought they were doing what was right for them but what they did was drive the Lord to anger. You must never lose faith in God because that causes you to doubt your own prayers.
Getting comfortable
Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-19
Never get complacent. As stated above, there are times when the path in front of you may seem rosy and best but the end may drive you to destruction. This is the reason why you must always take everything to God in prayer.
When things seem so rosy and everything seems to be going your way, you must never feel like there is no need to talk to God. He that is down, fears no fall. He that thinks he is up must take care lest he falls.
For this reason, you must pray without ceasing so that your spiritual communication lines with God are not quenched. Do not wait for things to turn sour before you go back to God. Do not forget God when you think you have everything. Let him be your guidance always and do not become lackadaisical in prayer because those are the times your enemies may decide to strike you.
Not standing firm
“Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.”
Ephesians 6:11
Some Christians are easily shaken. They do not hold firm to their strength in God and are swayed by the suggestions of other people. These are things that cause you to stutter in your prayer life.
Abandoning your whole belief system to go with what others have suggested makes you a baby in Christ. You must be strong enough to withstand any circumstance in God.
There are things that will make sense to you but that is not consistent with God’s word. You must never fall over for the devil’s schemes. The same God who brought the Israelites out of the years in bondage in Egypt will help you overcome any challenge through prayer. You need only stand firm.
Self guilt
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”
1 John 1:9
When you feel like you have wronged an earthly father or father figure, you may have the tendency to stay away from him because of self-guilt. If you do not beg them for forgiveness and show real signs of regret, you may never be able to open communication lines with them.
If they have any good things for you to inherit, you may miss out on them because you are not close to them and hearing what they want to give you because of the shame you feel.
Do not allow guilt to keep you from talking to God. He has already said that if you genuinely regret and confess your sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive you. It doesn’t matter what you think you did. Nothing can separate you from God’s love. Never stop praying out of guilt because that is the only way you can please God.
Related Posts
Expecting easy paths after prayer
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
1 Corinthians 10:13
A lot of Christians expect their walk of faith to be very easy without any temptation. There will be trials and tribulations but you will never face anything that will overtake you.
When times are hard, do not let that affect your prayer life. Do not let that make you think that God has forsaken you. These are the times that the evil one will try and propose easy ways for you to get out of your predicaments.
Do not be fooled by this because the devil does not offer any gifts. He is constantly looking for your soul to devour. This is why you must not feel unfairly treated by God because you face trials but rather feel strengthened by the hardships you face. Claim your victories in prayer and never feel let down by God.
Doubting God’s power
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Psalm 23:4.
There is nothing impossible for God. Sometimes the magnitude of the problem you face may cause you to doubt God’s power. This can cause your prayer life to take a bad turn. You should not only trust God when you think the situation is within his control.
God’s power is limitless and there is no problem he cannot solve. Do not let the situation dictate whether you speak to God in prayer or not. Be prepared to take everything to him in prayer no matter what the situation.
Busy schedules and distractions
Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10:41-42
Living in a fast-paced world often leaves us with packed schedules, making it challenging to find time for prayer. Our days may be filled with work, family commitments, social activities, and other responsibilities, leaving little room for quiet introspection.
Additionally, the constant presence of digital distractions further hinders our ability to focus. To nurture our prayer life, we must prioritize and carve out specific time slots dedicated to prayer, creating a sacred space free from disturbances.
The story of Martha and Mary teaches us that in the face of life’s overwhelming demands, we have a choice. We can choose to pursue “many things,” lost in the worries and distractions that surround us. Or, we can choose simplicity – to focus on what is truly significant, find balance, and embrace the present.
By following Mary’s example and prioritizing our spiritual well-being, we can experience lasting peace, unshakeable contentment, and the profound presence of God in our lives. So, let us take a moment to reflect on these timeless words of Jesus Christ and strive for a life that cultivates what is better and eternal
Worldly influences and negative media exposure
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2
The media we consume, whether through television, social media, or other platforms, greatly impacts our thoughts, emotions, and overall spiritual well-being. Exposing ourselves to negative influences can distort our perspective, breed pessimism, and dampen our faith.
To protect our prayer life, cultivating discernment and being mindful of the media we consume becomes imperative. Choosing positive and uplifting content can help guard our hearts and minds, allowing us to approach prayer with clarity and purity.
Our prayer life requires regular tending, being mindful of the potential dangers that can impede its growth and vitality. By recognizing distractions, working towards consistency, addressing doubt, seeking forgiveness, and guarding ourselves against negative influences, we can preserve and strengthen our prayer life. Let us remain steadfast in our pursuit of a deeper connection with the divine, allowing prayer to enrich not only our lives but also the lives of those around us.
